VAR decisions shape Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 win over West Ham

Goal reports West Ham were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest in a crucial Premier League relegation six-pointer, with two controversial VAR decisions influencing the outcome.

West Ham took the lead through a Murillo own goal after 13 minutes and thought they had doubled their advantage when Crysencio Summerville finished, but the strike was ruled out for offside in the build-up, with replays showing Taty Castellanos very narrowly offside. Nicolas Dominguez levelled for Forest minutes later, and in injury time Alphonse Areola was ruled to have fouled Morgan Gibbs-White; in attempting to punch the ball he appeared to strike the midfielder in the face, and Gibbs-White scored from 12 yards to make it 2-1. The defeat left West Ham 18th on 14 points, seven behind Forest.

Fans reacted on social media, with one user writing: "VAR has just relegated West Ham United." Reports before the match said the club would consider Nuno's future if they lost, a decision that now hangs over the manager; he insisted the club's bid to survive is "not over" and defended his players' effort after the game.

West Ham now face Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the FA Cup before a Premier League trip to Tottenham. The Irons have not won any of their last 10 fixtures and have not recorded a victory since November 8.

Key Topics

Sports, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Var, Crysencio Summerville, Morgan Gibbs-white